Process for the production of monohalide or dihalide metallocene compounds

ABSTRACT

A process for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds comprising contacting a compound of formula (II) (Cp)(ZR 1   m ) n (A) r ML′ y  (II) wherein Cp is a cyclopentadienyl radical; (ZR 1   m ) n  is a divalent bridging group between Cp and A; A is a cyclopentadienyl radical or O, S, NR 2 , PR 2  wherein R 2  is an hydrocarbon radical, M is zirconium, titanium or hafnium, L′ is an hydrocarbon radical, r ranges from 0 to 2 and y is equal to 4; with an halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of: T 1 L w   1  wherein T 1  is a metal of groups 3–13 of the periodic table; L is halogen and w 1  is equal to the oxidation state of the metal T 1 ; T 2 L w   2  wherein T 2  is a nonmetal element of groups 13–16 of the periodic table (new IUPAC version); and w 2  is equal to the oxidation state of the element T 2 ; O=T 3 L w   3  where T 3  is a selected from the group consisting of C, P and S; O is an oxygen atom bonded to T 3  trough a double bond; and w 3  is equal to the oxidation state of the element T 3  minus 2; R 6 C(O)L, wherein R 6  is an hydrocarbon radical; L 2  and HL.

This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application PCT/EP02/03697, filed Apr. 3, 2002.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of monohalide or dihalide metallocene compounds in high purity and in high yields.

Metallocene compounds are well known in the art as catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins. For instance, the European Patent Application EP 0 129 368 discloses catalysts comprising mono- and di-cyclopentadienyl coordination complexes with a transition metal in combination with an alumoxane.

In those metallocene compounds, the central metal is coordinated with one or more π-bonded ligands, usually cyclopentadienyl moieties, and with one or more sigma-bonded ligands. The latter are usually halogen, preferably chlorine. In the usual process for preparing dihalide metallocene compounds the lithium salts of the ligands are contacted with a tetrahalide of the metal. This process generates LiCl as a by-product that is difficult to separate because of the low solubility of the dihalide metallocene compounds in the usual solvents, and often the yield of the process is not satisfactory.

For instance, F. Wild et al. (J. Organomet. Chem., 288:63–67, 1985) describe the synthesis of chiral ansa-zirconocene derivatives with ethylene-bridged ligands. In particular, it is reported the preparation of ethylene-bis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride by reaction of the dilithium salt of bis(1-indenyl)ethane with ZrCl₄, in a yield of about 35%. Better results have been obtained by I. M. Lee et al. (Organometallics, 11:2115–2122, 1992), who prepared ethylene-bis(1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride in a yield of 52%. Another example can be found in Polyhedron 1990, 9, 301 wherein it is reported the synthesis of bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride starting from indene and zirconium tetrachloride with a final yield of 58%.

In Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Khim. 1976, 2621 there is described a reaction of mercury chloride (HgCl₂) with bis(cylopentadienyl)zirconium dibenzyl. In this paper it is shown that, instead of the expected bis(cylopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, the reaction product is the complex (C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂x3C₆H₅CH₂HgCl.

In Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR (1976), 231(1), 114–15, G. A. Razuvaev investigates the mechanism of photo or thermo demethylation and dearylation by using bis(cylopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl or dibenzyl and carbon tetrachloride or chloroform. The reaction is slow (about 100 h at 150° C. for the thermodemethylation) and moreover the yields are rather low.

A process for obtaining bis(cylopentadienyl)zirconium chloride methyl has been described by Wailes in Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 1972, 34, 155. According to this process, bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium chloride methyl is obtained by reacting the dimethyl derivative with PbCl₂. The yield of this process is not reported. The applicant by running a test according to the process described by Wailes (reported as comparative example 11) has found that that the yield of this process is not satisfactory for an industrial process.

Therefore it is felt the need for a simpler and more convenient and practical method to produce the above metallocene derivatives in satisfactory yields.

This need is fulfilled according to the present invention that, according to a first object, relates to a process for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds of formula (I): (Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A)_(r)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (I) wherein (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is a divalent group bridging the Cp and A moieties; Z being C, Si, Ge, N or P, and the R¹ groups, equal to or different from each other, being hydrogen or linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated. C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl groups, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms belonging to groups 13–17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, or two R¹ can form an aliphatic or aromatic C₄–C₇ ring that can bear substituents;

Cp is an unsubstituted or substituted cyclopentadienyl group, optionally condensed to one or more unsubstituted or substituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic rings, containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms belonging to groups 13–17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements;

A is O, S, NR² or PR², R² being hydrogen, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl, or A has the same meaning of Cp;

M is zirconium, titanium or hafnium, preferably being zirconium or hafnium;

the L substituents, equal to or different from each other, preferably equal, are chlorine, bromine, iodine, preferably chlorine;

L′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl group, optionally containing one or more Si or Ge atoms; preferably L′ is methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, phenyl, benzyl or —CH₂Si(CH₃)₃; more preferably L′ is methyl;

m is 1 or 2 depending on the oxidation state of Z, more specifically it is 1 when Z is N or P, and it is 2 when Z is C, Si or Ge;

n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, preferably it is 0, 1 or 2; being 0 when r is 0 or 2;

r is 0, 1 or 2, preferably being 0 or 1;

q is 1, 2, or 3;

s is 0 or 1;

s and q satisfying the following equation: q+s=3−r; preferably q is 1 or 2 and s is 0 or 1; more preferably q is 2 and s is 0;

said process comprising contacting a compound of formula (II): (Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A)_(r)ML′_(y)  (II) wherein y is equal to s+q and Cp, Z, R¹, A, M, L′, m, r, n, s and q have the same meaning as above,

with an halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of T¹L_(w) ¹, T²L_(w) ², O=T³L_(w) ³, R⁶C(O)L, L₂ and HL, mercury dichloride (HgCl₂) being excluded, wherein:

T¹ is a metal of groups 3–13 of the periodic table (new IUPAC version) or of the lanthanides series; preferably T¹ is a metal of groups 7–11 of the periodic table (new IUPAC version);

T² is a nonmetal element of groups 13–16 of the periodic table (new IUPAC version) with the exclusion of carbon;

T³ is selected from the group consisting of C, P and S;

O is an oxygen atom bonded to T³ through a double bond;

R⁶ is selected from a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl;

L has the same meaning as above;

H is hydrogen;

w¹ is equal to the oxidation state of the metal T¹;

w² is equal to the oxidation state of the element T²;

w³ is equal to the oxidation state of the element T³ minus 2.

The compound of formula (II) are well know in the art for example they can be easily prepared as described in WO 99/36427 or WO 00/75151.

An alternative embodiment for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds of formula (I) starting directly from the ligand without isolating the compound of formula (II) comprises the following steps:

-   a) reacting a ligand of formula (Y-Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A-Y)_(r) or     when n is 0 a mixture of ligands Y-Cp and r(A-Y) with an amount EQ     of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″ such that EQ≧1+r molar     equivalents with respect to Cp, preferably 1+r≦EQ≦1+r+q molar     equivalents; more preferably EQ=1+r+q molar equivalents, wherein Cp,     A, Z, R¹, m, r, q, and L′ have the meaning reported above; L′″ is     selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine; n     is an integer having values 1, 2, 3 or 4; the groups Y, the same or     different from each other, are suitable leaving groups; Mg is     magnesium; B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is 1 or     2, j being equal to 1 when B is an alkali metal, and j being equal     to 2 when B is an alkaline-earth metal; -   b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar     equivalent with respect to Cp of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein     M have the meaning reported above, L″ is selected from the group     consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine; -   c) if the amount EQ of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL″ added     in step a) is less than 1+r+q, adding to the reaction mixture an     amount of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″ equal to or     higher than 1+r+q−EQ molar equivalents, preferably equal to     1+r+q−EQ; -   d) optionally purifying the mixture and separating the meso and the     rac forms; and -   e) reacting the mixture with an halogenating agent selected from the     group consisting of: T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ³; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂     and HL wherein T¹, T², T³, L, w¹, w², w³ and R⁶ have been described     above.

When n is different from 0 and r is 1 a preferred process for preparing the dihalide or monohalide of bridged metallocene compounds of formula (III) (Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (III) wherein M, Cp, A, Z, R¹, m, q, s, L and L′ have the meaning reported above and n is an integer having values 1, 2, 3 or 4; comprises the following steps:

-   a) reacting a ligand of formula (Y-Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A-Y) with at     least 2+q molar equivalents with respect to Cp, of a compound of     formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″, wherein Cp, A, Z, R¹, m, q, and L′ have     the meaning reported above; L′″ is selected from the group     consisting of chlorine, bromine, iodine; n is an integer having     values 1, 2, 3 or 4; the groups Y, the same or different from each     other, are suitable leaving groups; Mg is magnesium; B is an     alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is 1 or 2, j being equal to     1 when B is an alkali metal, and j being equal to 2 when B is an     alkaline-earth metal; and -   b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar     equivalent of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein M have the meaning     reported above, L″ is selected from the group consisting of     chlorine, bromine, iodine; -   c) optionally purifying the mixture and separating the racemic and     the meso forms; -   d) reacting the mixture with an halogenating agent selected from the     group consisting of: T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ²; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂     and HL wherein T¹, T², T³, L, w¹, w², w³ and R⁶ have been described     above.

When A is equal to Cp and n is equal to 0 a preferred process for preparing metallocene compounds of formula (IV) (CP)(Cp)_(r)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (IV) wherein M, Cp, M, L, L′, r, q and s have been described above

comprises the following steps:

-   a) reacting 1+r molar equivalent of a ligand of formula (Y-Cp) with     at least 3+r molar equivalents of a compound of formula L_(j)B or     L′″MgL′, wherein Cp, L′″ and L′ have the meaning reported above; the     groups Y, the same or different from each other, are suitable     leaving groups; B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is 1     or 2, j being equal to 1 when B is an alkali metal, and j being     equal to 2 when B is an alkaline-earth metal; -   b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar     equivalent of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein M have the meaning     reported above, L″ is selected from the group consisting of     chlorine, bromine, iodine; -   c) optionally purifying the mixture; and -   d) reacting the mixture with an halogenating agent selected from the     group consisting of: T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ²; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂     and HL wherein T¹, T², T³, L, w¹, w², w³, R⁶ have been described     above.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all the reactions of the above processes are carried out in an aprotic solvent, either polar or apolar. Said aprotic solvent is preferably an aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon, optionally halogenated, or an ether, more preferably it is selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, diethylether, tetrahydrofurane or mixtures thereof.

The amount of the halogenating agent to be used depends from the type of compound. As a rule, for obtaining a monohalide metallocene compounds at least half molar equivalent with respect to the halogen atom has to be used, while for obtaining a dihalide derivative at least one molar equivalent with respect to the halogen atom has to be used. Excess of halogenating agent can also be used.

The Y leaving group is preferably hydrogen.

The ML″₄ reactant, is preferably selected from the group consisting of TiCl₄, ZrCl₄, HfCl₄. It can be used even in the form of a stabilized derivative, such as an etherate complex of ML″₄, easily available on the market.

The compounds L′_(j)B and L′″MgL′ are alkylating agents. Preferably L′ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, phenyl, benzyl and —CH₂Si(CH₃)₃. More preferably L′ is methyl.

In the compound L′_(j)B, B is an alkali or alkaline-earth metal, preferably Li or Mg; j can be 1 or 2, as already reported.

The compound L′″MgL′ is a Grignard reagent, wherein Mg is magnesium and L′″ and L′ have the meanings reported above. L′″ is preferably bromine or iodine.

According to a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, said alkylating agent is methyllithium.

Preferably in the processes for preparing compounds of formula (I), (III) and (IV) in step (a), the ligands are previously dissolved in an aprotic polar solvent and to the resulting solution is added the alkylating agent L′_(j)B or L′″MgL′. This addition is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from −100° C. to +80° C., more preferably from −80° C. to +10° C., over a period of 5 to 45 minutes, more preferably of 10 to 20 minutes. The alkylating agent is preferably added in the form of a solution in one of the above mentioned aprotic solvents, preferably dropwise.

The thus obtained reaction mixture is preferably allowed to react, under stirring, for a period ranging from 1 to 6 hours, more preferably from 2 to 3 hours, at a temperature comprised between −10° C. and +80° C., more preferably at room temperature.

Before the reaction with ML″₄, in step (b), the mixture obtained from step (a) is preferably cooled to a temperature ranging from −100° C. to +80° C., more preferably from −80° C. to +70° C. Then ML″₄ is quickly added to the cooled slurry in the form of a solution in one of the above mentioned aprotic solvents, preferably pentane, hexane, heptane or toluene.

The reaction mixture is then allowed to react for a period ranging from 10 minutes to 36 hours, more preferably from 1 to 18 hours, at a temperature comprised between −100° C. and +80° C., more preferably between −50° C. and +50° C., even more preferably at room temperature.

In the halogenating step the temperature ranges from −50° C. to +150° C., preferably from 0° C. to 100° C., more preferably from 20° C. to 50° C. The halogenating agent is generally added dropwise and then the reaction mixture is preferably allowed to react, under stirring, for a period ranging from 1 to 6 hours, more preferably from 2 to 3 hours, at a temperature comprised between −10° C. and +80° C., more preferably at room temperature.

The thus obtained metallocene compounds of formulas (I), (III) and (IV) can be isolated according to the common procedures known in the state of the art.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula T¹L_(w) ¹ are: FeCl₃, CuCl₂ and ZnCl₂.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula T²L_(w) ² are: BCl₃, BBr₃, SiCl₄ and PCl₅.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula O=T³L_(w) ³ are: SOCl₂ and POCl₃.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula R⁶C(O)L are: CH₃C(O)Cl, C₆H₅CH₂C(O)Cl, C₆H₅C(O)Cl and CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula L₂ are: Br₂, Cl₂ and I₂.

Non limiting examples of halogenating agents of formula HL are HCl, HBr and HI.

In the optional steps (c) and (d) the purification of the reaction mixture is preferably carried out by simply filtering the solution in order to remove the salts. Also other systems of purification can be used, for example a suitable solvent in order to precipitate the undesired by products can be added with subsequently filtration. In these steps it is also possible to separate (when present) the racemic and the meso form by using methods known in the art. For example, by using suitable solvents it is possible to precipitate one form with subsequently filtration. All the operations are carried out in inert atmosphere.

In the metallocenes of formula (I) and (III), the divalent bridge (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is preferably selected from the group consisting of CR¹ ₂, (CR¹ ₂)₂, (CR¹ ₂)₃, SiR¹ ₂, GeR¹ ₂, NR¹ and PR¹, R¹ having the meaning reported above. More preferably, said divalent bridge is Si(CH₃)₂, SiPh₂, CH₂, (CH₂)₂, (CH₂)₃ or C(CH₃)₂.

The variable m is 1 or 2; the variable n ranges from 0 to 4 preferably is 1 or 2, when n>1, the atoms Z can be the same or different from each other, such as in divalent bridges —CH₂—O—, —CH₂—S— and CH₂—Si(CH₃)₂—. When n=0 and r=1, A can have only the meaning of Cp.

In the metallocenes of formula (I), (III) and (IV) the ligand Cp, which is π-bonded to said metal M, is preferably selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl cyclopentadienyl; 4-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl; 4-adamantyl-cyclopentadienyl; indenyl; mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl indenyl; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl; fluorenyl; 5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; N-methyl- or N-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; 5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; N-methyl-or N-phenyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; azapentalene-4-yl; thiapentalene-4-yl; azapentalene-6-yl; thiapentalene-6-yl; mono-, di- and tri-methyl-azapentalene-4-yl and 2,5-dimethyl-cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]-dithiophene.

The group A has preferably the same meaning of Cp, or it is N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-phenyl, N-benzyl, N-cyclohexyl and N-cyclododecyl.

Non limiting examples of metallocene compounds of formula (I), (III) and (IV) are the racemic and the meso form (when present) of the following compounds:

-   bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride; -   bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride; -   bis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dichloride; -   bis(fluorenyl)zirconium dichloride; -   dimethylsilanediylbis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(4-naphthylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-(4-t-butyl-phenyl)indenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2,4-dimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2,4,7-trimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2,4,6-trimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediylbis(2,5,6-trimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   methyl(phenyl)silanediylbis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   methyl(phenyl)silanediylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1,3-propylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,3-propylenebis(4,7-dimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,3-propylenebis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,3-propylenebis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1,3-propylenebis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,2-ethylenebis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,2-ethylenebis(4,7-dimethylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,2-ethylenebis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,4-butanediylbis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,2-ethylenebis(2-methyl-4,6-diisopropylindenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1,4-butanediylbis(2-methyl-4-isopropylindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,4-butanediylbis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   1,2-ethylenebis(2-methyl-4,5-benzoindenyl)zirconium dichloride, -   [4-(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-4,6,6-trimethyl(η⁵-4,5-tetrahydro-pentalene)]dichloridezirconium, -   [4-(η⁵-3′-trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)-4,6,6-trimethyl(η⁵-4,5-tetrahydropentalene)]dichloridezirconium, -   (tert-butylamido)(tetramethyl-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-ethane-dichloridetitanium, -   (methylamido)(tetramethyl-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)dimethylsilyl-dichloridetitanium, -   (methylamido)(tetramethyl-η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-ethanediyl-dichloridetitanium, -   (tertbutylamido)-(2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl)dimethylsilyl-dichloridetitanium, -   bis(1,3-dimethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, -   methylene(3-methyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene(3-isopropyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene(2,4-dimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene(2,3,5-trimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(indenyl)-7-(2,5-ditrimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(3-isopropyl-indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(2-methyl-indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(tetrahydroindenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene(2,4-dimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dioxazol)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene(2,3,5-trimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dioxazol)zirconium     dichloride; -   methylene-1-(indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dioxazol)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene(3-methyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene(2,4-dimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene(2,4-diethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene(2,3,5-trimethyl-cyclopentadienyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene-1-(indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   isopropylidene-1-(2-methyl-indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiyl-1-(2-methyl-indenyl)-7-(2,5-dimethylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene)hafnium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilanediyl(3-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(3-isopropyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(3-methyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilanediyl(3-ethyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1-2-ethane(3-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1-2-ethane(3-isopropyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1-2-ethane(3-methyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   1-2-ethane(3-ethyl-cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl)zirconium     dichloride, -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-methylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(4-methylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(4-isopropylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(4-ter-butylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-isopropylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-dimethyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)cyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)cyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-mesitylenecyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,4,5-trimethyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-diethyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-diisopropyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-diter-butyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-ditrimethylsilyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-thiophene)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-methylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-isopropylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,5-dimethyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole)zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methylphenyl)cyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)cyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-[2,5-dimethyl-3-mesitylenecyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole]zirconium     dichloride; -   dimethylsilandiylbis-6-(2,4,5-trimethyl-3-phenylcyclopentadienyl-[1,2-b]-silole)zirconium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-methyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(6-methyl-N-methyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(6-methoxy-N-methyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-ethyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-phenyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(6-methyl-N-phenyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(6-methoxy-N-phenyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-methyl-3,4-dimethyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-ethyl-3,4-dimethyl-1,2-dihydrocyclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   [dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamido)][(N-phenyl-3,4-dimethyl-1,2-dihydroclopenta[2,1-b]indol-2-yl)]titanium     dichloride; -   as well as the correspondent titanium and hafnium compounds and the     dibromide and diodide compounds.

The process according to the present inventions shows several advantages with respect to the processes generally known in the state of the art. The overall yields starting from the ligands are generally higher than those reported in the art. Moreover, it is easier to purify the desired product, due to the better solubility of the formed intermediate alkylated metallocene with respect to the dihalide or monohalide product. Further, because of the higher solubility of said intermediate metallocene it is also easy to separate the racemic and the meso form at this step and thus to obtain the substantially pure racemic or meso form as the final product.

The metallocene compounds obtained with the process according to the present invention, in combination with a suitable activator such as an alumoxane, can be used as a catalyst for the polymerization of olefins. Particularly, they can be used for the homo or co-polymerization of alpha-olefins of formula CH₂═CHR wherein R is hydrogen or a C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene and 1-octene.

An interesting use is for the production of isotactic, syndiotactic or atactic polypropylene.

Another interesting use is for the copolymerization of ethylene with alpha-olefins, such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene and 1-octene, with cycloolefins, such as cyclopentene, cyclohexene, norbornene and 4,6-dimethyl-1-heptene, or with polyenes, such as 1,4-hexadiene, isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, 1,5-hexadiene and 1,6-heptadiene.

Further, they can be advantageously used in olefin oligomerization or hydrogenation reactions.

The above metallocenes form suitable polymerization catalytic systems in association with alumoxanes of formula:

wherein the substituents R³ can be a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, alkenyl or alkylaryl radical;

or in association with the product obtained by contacting an organometallic aluminum compound of formula AlR⁵ _(3-z)H_(z), wherein R⁵ can be C₁–C₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl or alkylaryl radicals, optionally containing one or more Si or Ge atoms, with water.

Particularly suitable alumoxanes, acting as cocatalysts with the above metallocenes, are methylalumoxane (MAO), tris(2-methyl-propyl)alumoxane (TIBAO) and 2,4,4-trimethyl-pentylalumoxane (TIOAO).

Non-limiting examples of organometallic aluminum compounds that, upon contacting with water, produce suitable cocatalysts are trimethylaluminum (TMA), tris(2,4,4-trimethyl-pentyl)aluminum (TIOA), tris(2-methyl-propyl)aluminum (TIBA), tris(2,3,3-trimethyl-butyl)aluminum, tris(2,3-dimethyl-hexyl)aluminum, tris(2,3-dimethyl-butyl)aluminum, tris(2,3-dimethyl-pentyl)aluminum, tris(2,3-dimethyl-heptyl)aluminum, tris(2-methyl-3-ethyl-pentyl)aluminum and tris(2-ethyl-3,3-dimethyl-butyl).

The above catalysts can suitably be used on inert supports, such as silica, alumina, styrene/divinylbenzene copolymers, polyethylene or polypropylene, particularly for use in the gas phase polymerizations.

The olefin polymerization processes can be carried out in liquid phase, optionally in the presence of an inert hydrocarbon solvent, either aromatic (e.g. toluene) or aliphatic (e.g. propane, hexane, heptane, isobutane, cyclohexane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane). The polymerization temperature generally ranges from about 0° C. to about 250° C., and preferably from 20 to 150° C.

The following examples are given for illustrative and not limitative purposes.

GENERAL PROCEDURES AND CHARACTERIZATIONS

All operations were performed under nitrogen by using conventional Schlenk-line techniques. Solvents were purified by degassing with N₂ and passing over activated (8 hours, N₂ purge, 300° C.) Al₂O₃, and stored under nitrogen. MeLi (Acros), TiCl₄ (Aldrich), ZrCl₄ (Aldrich), HfCl₄ (Roc-Ric, 99.99% Hf), FeCl₃ (Aldrich), BCl₃ (Aldrich), CuCl (Carlo Erba, RPE-ACS, 95%) and SiCl₄ (Aldrich) were used as received. Technical indene (Aldrich) was purified by passing over activated Al₂O₃; All compounds were analyzed on an AC 200 Bruker spectrometer, by ¹H NMR (200.13 MHz, CD₂Cl₂, referenced against the middle peak of residual CHDCl₂ at 5.35 ppm, or C₆D₆, referenced against the peak of residual C₆D₅H at 7.15 ppm) and ¹³C NMR (50.323 MHz, Broad Band Decoupling, C₆D₆, referenced to the central line of C₆D₆ at 128.00 ppm). All NMR solvents were dried over P₄O₁₀ or CaH₂ and distilled before use. GC-MS analyses were carried out on a HP 5890-series 2 gas-chromatograph and a HP 5970 mass spectrometer.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

40 mL of a 1.5 M solution of BuLi in Et₂O (60 mmol) were added dropwise to 7.0 mL of indene (60.0 mmol) in 20 mL of THF, cooled to −78° C. At the end of the addition, the solution was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour, to give an orange solution. 7 g of ZrCl₄ (30.0 mmol) were dissolved in 30 mL of THF at −78° C. in a 100 mL flask equipped with reflux condenser (exothermic reaction). The mixture was allowed to reach room temperature with stirring, then refluxed for 30 min, to give a clear, brown solution. To this solution was added the THF solution of indenyllithium at room temperature with stirring, then the resulting suspension was stirred for two hours. The color turned yellow. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure, the residue slurried in Et₂O and transferred into an extractor, washed with Et₂O until colorless, then extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the extract dried and washed again with Et₂O and then pentane, finally dried to give 4.35 g of yellow, analytically pure Ind₂ZrCl₂. Isolated yield 36.9%.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

9.9 mL of a 1.6 M solution of MeLi in Et₂O (15.8 mmol) were added dropwise to 1.97 g of technical indene (93.3% by GC, 15.8 mmol) in 30 mL of Et₂O, at the end of the addition the mixture was stirred for 40 min at room temp., then it was added at once to 1.84 g of ZrCl (7.9 mmol) slurried in 30 mL of pentane, then the resulting suspension was stirred for two hours. The color turned yellow. The product in pentane/Et₂O was transferred into an extractor, filtrated, the filtrate was discarded, the residue dried and extracted at reflux with 80 mL of CH₂Cl₂ for 5 hours. The extract was dried to give 2.08 g of lemon yellow Ind₂ZrCl₂, containing 4 mol % of Ind₂ZrClMe (¹H NMR). Isolated yield 67%.

EXAMPLE 3 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

Synthesis of Ind₂ZrMe₂.

15.8 ml of a solution of MeLi 1.6 M in Et₂O (25.3 mmol) were added at room temperature to a solution of 1.5 g (12.6 mmoles) of indene (Aldrich, 97.9% by G.C.) in 30 ml of Et₂O in about 5 minutes (exothermic reaction). The mixture was stirred for 30 min, to give an orange solution. 1.47 g of ZrCl₄ (6.33 mmol) were slurried in 30 ml pentane. The ZrCl₄ slurry in pentane was quickly added to the Li salt solution in Et₂O (exothermic reaction). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min, and the yellow-brown suspension was treated as described above, to give 1.92 g (86.5% yield) of a light yellow solid, which was characterized by ¹H NMR as spectroscopically pure Ind₂ZrMe₂.

Anal. Calcd for C₂₀H₂₀Zr: C, 68.32; H, 5.73; Zr, 25.94. Found: C, 67.3; H, 5.75; Cl, <0.05.

¹H-NMR (C₆D₆, δ, ppm): −0.50 (s, Ti—CH₃, 6H), 5.37 (t, Cp-H(2), 2H, J=3.24 Hz), 5.78 (d, Cp-H(1,3), 4H, J=3.24 Hz), 6.90–6.95 (m, Ar, 4H), 7.16–7.22 (m, Ar, 4H).

Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂.

0.33 g of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (0.94 mmol) were charged in a 10 mL Schlenk tube, and dissolved in 4 mL of CD₂Cl₂. 0.485 g of CuCl (Carlo Erba, 95%, 4.65 mmol) were added, and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 6 hours, when ¹H NMR showed the reaction to be complete. 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂ were added and the mixture was filtered over a G4 frit. The yellow-green solution was brought to dryness to give 0.34 g of yellow-green powder (yield 93%) whose ¹H NMR is identical to that of a true sample of Ind₂ZrCl₂.

¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, δ, ppm): 6.23 (d, H(1-3), 4H, J=3.32 Hz), 6.55 (t, H(2), 2H, J=3.32 Hz), 7.28–7.37 (m, Ar, 4H), 7.60–7.69 (m, Ar, 4H).

EXAMPLE 4 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

2.5 g of indene (92% wt by GC, 19.8 mmol) were dissolved in 30 mL of Et₂O in a 250 mL Schlenk tube. 24.8 mL of MeLi 1.6 M in Et₂O (39.7 mmol) were added with stirring at room temperature (exothermic reaction). After stirring for 40 min, a yellow-orange solution was obtained, to which was added a suspension of 2.3 g of ZrCl₄ (9.9 mmol) in 40 mL of pentane (exothermic reaction, the mixture turns dark brown). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for two hours, then concentrated under reduced pressure to give a black powder, which was slurried in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂, cooled to 0° C., and added of 9.9 mL of BCl₃ 1M in heptane (9.9 mmol). During the addition, the mixture turns from dark grey to dark green. This was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 30 min at room temperature (complete conversion to the dichloride observed by ¹H NMR at this time), then filtered and extracted with the same CH₂Cl₂ for 8 hours on a continuous extractor (the product precipitates in part as a yellow solid during extraction), the extract concentrated under reduced pressure to give a yellow powder, 3.74 g (96% yield based on Zr) of spectroscopically pure Ind₂ZrCl₂.

EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

0.25 g of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (0.71 mmol) were dissolved in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ in a 25 mL Schlenk tube, and 0.71 mL of BCl₃ 1M in heptane (0.71 mmol) were added, a yellow precipitate start forming, and the slurry was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, when ¹H NMR showed the conversion to Ind₂ZrCl₂ to be quantitative. The yellow suspension was brought to dryness to give 0.27 g of yellow, powdery, analytically pure Ind₂ZrCl₂ (yield 97%). Its ¹H NMR is identical to that of a true sample of Ind₂ZrCl₂.

EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

0.172 g of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (0.49 mmol) were slurried in 5 mL of hexanes in a 10 mL Schlenk tube, and 0.49 mL of BCl₃ 1M in heptane (0.49 mmol) were added at room temperature, and the mixture stirred for 2 hours, to give a 45:55 mixture of Ind₂ZrCl₂ and Ind₂ZrClMe (¹H NMR), additional 0.3 mL of BCl₃ 1M in heptane (0.3 mmol) and sirred for additional 2 hours. At this point the reaction is complete and the product is analytically pure by ¹H NMR.

EXAMPLE 7 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

300 mg of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (20790/21, 0.85 mmol) were dissolved in 20 mL of Et₂O in a 50 mL Schlenk tube. 0.95 mL of a 2M solution of HCl in Et₂O (Aldrich, 1.71 mmol) were added at room temperature. Gas evolution (CH₄) is observed, together with instantaneous formation of a yellow precipitate. Removing the solvent under reduced pressure gives 320 mg of pure Ind₂ZrCl₂, yield 96%.

EXAMPLE 8 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrMeCl

380 mg of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (20790/21, 1.08 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂ in a 10 mL Schlenk tube. 175 mg of anhydrous FeCl₃ (Aldrich, 99.9%, 1.08 mmol) were added at room temperature (immediate darkening to black), and then the mixture is heated at 40° C. for 6 hours. After 3 hours ¹H NMR shows the presence of a 98:2 mixture of Ind₂ZrClMe and residual Ind₂ZrMe₂ (yield of Ind2ZrMeCl 98%).

EXAMPLE 9 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrI₂

164 mg of of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (0.46 mmol) were dissolved in 2 mL of CD₂Cl₂ in a 10 mL Schlenk tube. 120 mg of I₂ crystals (0.47 mmol) were added at room temperature. The solution was warmed to 40° C. After 5 min stirring the I₂ is fully solubilized, to give a bright orange solution that was stirred for 6 hours at 40° C. ¹H-NMR analysis shows the presence of residual Ind₂ZrMe₂, and the two reaction products Ind₂ZrIMe and Ind₂ZrI₂, in the ratio 6:67:27.

Additional 60 mg of I₂ were added, and the solution stirred at room temperature for 72 hours.

¹H-NMR analysis shows conversion to the target Ind₂ZrI₂.

Ind₂ZrIMe: ¹H-NMR (CD₂Cl₂, δ, ppm): −1.47 (s, 3H, Zr—CH₃), 6.09 (t, 2H, Cp-H2, J=3.52 Hz), 6.39 (m, 2H, Cp-H(1,3)), 6.54 (m, 2H, Cp-H(3,1)), 7.23–7.28 (m, 2H, Ar), 7.64–7.69 (m, 2H, Ar).

Ind₂ZrI₂: ¹H-NMR (CD₂Cl₂, δ, ppm): 2.19 (CH₃I, cfr. CH₃I in CDCl₃=2.16 ppm); 6.42 (d, Cp-H(1,3), 4H, J=3.33), 6.64 (t, Cp-H(2), 2H, J=3.33), 7.30–7.40 (m, Ar, 4H), 7.66–7.75 (m, Ar, 4H.

EXAMPLE 10 Synthesis of Ind₂TiClMe

Synthesis Ind₂TiMe₂

31.0 mL of MeLi 1.6 M in Et₂O (49.6 mmol) were added with stirring at room temperature to a solution of 3 g of indene (94% by G.C., 24.3 mmol) in 30 mL of diethyl ether over a period of about 10 minutes (exothermic reaction). The Schlenk tube was kept in a water bath to remove the heat of reaction. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. After this time the solution turned from light yellow to orange. 1.34 mL of TiCl₄ (99%, 12.2 mmol) were dissolved in 30 mL of pentane, and this solution was quickly added to the Li salt solution (exothermic reaction). The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at room temperature with final formation of a dark brown suspension. The solvents were then removed under reduce pressure. The brown solid obtained was extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with 80 mL of pentane. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give 2.62 g of a yellow-brown powder (70% metal-based yield).

Anal. Calcd for C₂₀H₂₀Ti: C, 77.93; H, 6.54; Ti, 15.53. Found: C, 74.7; H, 6.35; Ti, 14.6; Cl, <0.05.

¹H-NMR (C₆D₆, δ, ppm): −0.50 (s, Ti—CH₃, 6H), 5.37 (t, Cp-H(2), 2H, J=3.24 Hz), 5.78 (d, Cp-H(1,3), 4H, J=3.24 Hz), 6.90–6.95 (m, Ar, 4H), 7.16–7.22 (m, Ar, 4H)

Synthesis Ind₂TiClMe

0.43 g of Ind₂TiMe₂ (20790/77, 1.4 mmol) were dissolved in 15 mL of toluene in a 50 mL Schienk. 0.32 mL of SiCl₄ (99%, 2.79 mmol) were added at room temperature and the solution warmed up to 50° C. and stirred for 3 hours. ¹H NMR reveals the formation of a 70:30 mixture of Ind₂TiClMe and Ind₂TiMe₂. To bring the reaction to completion, another 2 molar equivalents of SiCl₄ (0.32 mL) were added, and the red-orange solution stirred for 3 additional hours at 50° C., then dried, to give a quantitative yield of Ind₂TiClMe as a brick red powder.

¹H-NMR (C₆D₆, δ, ppm): −0.08 (s, Ti—CH₃, 3H), 5.52 (t, Cp-H(2), 2H, J=3.33 Hz), 5.80 (ddd, Cp-H(1 or 3), 2H, J=0.88, 1.96, 3.33 Hz), 5.86 (ddd, Cp-H(3 or 1), 2H, J=0.88, 1.96, 3.33 Hz), 6.85–7.31 (m, Ar, 8H).

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 11 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrClMe

A slurry of 2.53 g of PbCl₂ (Aldrich, MW=278.106, 9.10 mmol) in 15 mL of toluene was added to a solution of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (1.25 g, MW=351.594, 3.56 mmol) in 35 mL of toluene, in a 100 mL Schlenk flask. The dark orange suspension obtained was stirred 38 hours at room temperature and 10 hours at 40–45° C., during which time formation of a black powder was observed. The suspension was then filtered on a G4 frit and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give 1.1 g of a dark yellow powder, which was characterized by ¹H NMR as a mixture of Ind₂ZrMeCl and Ind₂ZrCl₂ in the ratio 90/10.

0.63 g of this mixture were treated with 30 mL of toluene and 1.2 g of PbCl₂ (4.31 mmol). The suspension obtained was stirred for 30 hours at room temperature and 12 hours at 40° C. ¹H NMR analysis showed decomposition of the product to indene. The yield of the reaction to give Ind₂ZrClMe is 74%

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12

0.67 g of CeCl₃ (Aldrich, MW=246.48, 2.72 mmol) were added to a suspension of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (experiment 20826/5, 0.91 g, MW=351.594, 2.59 mmol) in 30 mL of toluene, in a 100 mL Schlenk flask. The light brown suspension obtained was stirred 24 hours at room temperature, but no reaction was observed by ¹H NMR analysis. It was then treated with additional 0.64 g of CeCl₃ (2.6 mmol) and stirred 3 hours at room temperature and 4 hours at 40° C. No reaction was observed by ¹H NMR.

EXAMPLE 13 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrCl₂

A solution of SCl₂ (Riedel de Haen, 0.16 g, MW=102.966, 1.55 mmol) in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was added to a brown suspension of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (experiment 20826/7-9, 0.55 g, MW=351.594, 1.56 mmol) in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂. During the addition exothermicity was observed and the reaction mixture turned clearer. After 3 hours stirring at room temperature the reaction mixture turned reddish and ¹H NMR analysis showed a mixture of Ind₂ZrCl₂ and Ind₂ZrMeCl in the ratio 61/39. Additional 0.055 g of SCl₂ (0.53 mmol) were added to the reaction mixture. After 1 hour stirring the brown suspension obtained was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give 0.61 g (100% metal-based yield) of a clear brown powder, which ¹H NMR analysis showed to be Ind₂ZrCl₂ with some impurities.

EXAMPLE 14 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrI₂

Crystals of I₂ (0.70 g, MW=253.809, 2.76 mmol) were added to a suspension of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (experiment 20826/7-9, 0.48 g, MW=351.594, 1.36 mmol) in 20 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The orange suspension turned to dark purple in few minutes. After 30 minutes stirring at room temperature, the suspension was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give 0.83 g (100% yield) of an orange powder, which was characterized by ¹H NMR as pure Ind₂ZrI₂.

¹H-NMR (CD₂Cl₂, δ, ppm): 6.42 (d, 4H, Cp-H(1,3), J=3.33 Hz); 6.64 (t, 2H, Cp-H(2), J=3.33 Hz); 7.30–7.40 (m, 4H, Ar); 7.66–7.75 (m, 4H, Ar).

EXAMPLE 15 Synthesis of Ind₂ZrBr₂

A solution of 0.52 g of Br₂ (Fluka, 3.69 mmol) in 7 ml of CH₂Cl₂ was added to a solution of 0.65 g of Ind₂ZrMe₂ (1.85 mmol) in 20 ml of CH₂Cl₂. The reaction was exothermic. The brown suspension obtained was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours and then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give a reddish powder. This powder showed the presence of some impurity, so it was treated with ether and filtered. The residue was still not clean enough, so it was treated with toluene and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to give pure Ind₂ZrBr₂ which was characterized by ¹H NMR.

¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, δ, ppm): 6.28 (d, 4H, Cp-H(1,3), J=3.42 Hz); 6.57 (t, 2H, Cp-H(2), J=3.42 Hz); 7.30–7.38 (m, 4H, Ar); 7.63–7.70 (m, 4H, Ar).

EXAMPLE 16 Synthesis of Me₂Si(Me₄Cp)(t-BuN)TiClMe

0.69 mL of SiCl₄ (5.98 mmoles) previously diluted in 2 mL of CH₂Cl₂ were added dropwise at romm temperature to a solution of 0.98 g of Me₂Si(Me₄Cp)(t-BuN)TiMe₂ (obtained according to WO 00/75151) in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂. After 6 h, the monochloro complex was obtained in nearly 100% yield.

EXAMPLE 17 Synthesis of (N-ethyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl)(t-BuN)TiCl₂

0.71 g of CuCl (6.85 mmoles) were added at room temperature to a solution of 0.6 g (1.37 mmoles) of dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamino)(N-ethyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl)dimethyl titanium (obtained according to WO 01/53360) in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The mixture of reaction was monitored by ¹H-NMR after 1 h, 4 h and one night of stirring. The suspension was filtered and the filtrate was dried in vacuo obtaining a red-brown sticky solid (yield 100%). ¹H-NMR shows the formation of dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamino)(N-ethyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl)dichloro titanium.

EXAMPLE 18 Synthesis of (N-ethyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl)(t-BuN)TiCl₂

0.7 mL (0.7 mmoles) of BCl₃ 1.0 M in heptane were added at 0° C. to a solution of 0.306 g (0.7 mmoles) of dimethylsilyl(tert-butylamino)(N-ethyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl)dimethyl titanium (obtained according to WO 01/53360) in 8 mL of Et₂O, after 2 hours of stirring at room temperature the ¹H-NMR analysis shows the formation of the dichloro complex. The solvent was dried in vacuo and the crude was washed with 7 mL of toluene, the residue was dried under reduced pressure, obtaining a red brown solid, which resulted almost pure desired product by ¹H-NMR (yield 100%).

¹H-NMR (C₆D₆, δ, ppm): 0.61 (s, 3H, Si—CH₃); 0.75 (s, 3H, Si—CH₃); 1.15 (t, 3H, CH₃, J=7.24 Hz); 1.28 (s, 9H, t-Bu); 3.81 (q, 2H, CH₂, J=7.24 Hz); 6.98–7.92 (m, 8H, Ar).

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃, δ, ppm): 1.01 (s, 3H, Si—CH₃); 1.10 (s, 3H, Si—CH₃); 1.36 (s, 9H, t-Bu); 1.54 (t, 3H, CH₃, J=7.24 Hz); 4.38 (q, 2H, CH₂, J=7.24 Hz), 7.21–8.05 (m, 8H, Ar). 

1. A process for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds of formula (I), (Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A)_(r)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (I) wherein (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is a divalent group bridging Cp and A; Z being C, Si, Ge, N or P, and the R¹ groups, equal to or different from each other, being hydrogen or linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl groups, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms belonging to groups 13–17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements or two R¹ can form a aliphatic or aromatic C₄–C₇ ring that can bear substituents; Cp is a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group, optionally condensed to one or more substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic rings, containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms belonging to groups 13–17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; A is O, S, NR², PR², wherein R² is hydrogen, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl group, optionally condensed to one or more substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic rings, containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms belonging to groups 13–17 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; M is selected from zirconium, titanium or hafnium; L, equal to or different from each other, are selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine; L′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl and C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl group, optionally containing at least one Si or Ge atoms; m is 1 when Z is N or P, and m is 2 when Z is C, Si or Ge; n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, being 0 when r is 0 or 2; r is 0, 1 or 2; q is 1, 2, or 3; s is 0 or 1; wherein q+s=3−r; said process comprising the following steps: a) reacting a ligand of formula (Y-Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A-Y)_(r) or when n is 0 a mixture of ligands Y-Cp and r(A-Y) with an amount EQ of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″ such that EQ≧1+r molar equivalents with respect to Cp, wherein L′″ is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine: n is an integer having values 1, 2, 3 or 4; the groups Y, the same or different from each other, are suitable leaving groups; Mg is magnesium; B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is equal to 1 when B is an alkali metal, and j is equal to 2 when B is an alkaline-earth metal; b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar equivalent of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein L″ is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine; thereby forming a mixture; c) adding to the mixture an amount of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″ not lower than 1+r+q−EQ molar equivalents, provided the amount EQ of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL″ added in step a) is less than 1+r+q; d) optionally purifying the mixture and separating the racemic and the meso forms; and e) reacting the mixture with a halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ²; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂ and HL wherein T¹ is a metal of groups 3–13 of the Periodic Table of Elements or of the lanthanides series; T² is a nonmetal element of groups 13–16 of the Periodic Table of Elements with the exclusion of carbon; T³ is selected from the group consisting of C, P and S; O is an oxygen atom bonded to T³ through a double bond; R⁶ is selected from a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₃–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, C₇–C₂₀ alkylaryl or C₇–C₂₀ arylalkyl; H is hydrogen; w¹ is equal to the oxidation state of the metal T¹; w² is equal to the oxidation state of the element T²; w³ is equal to the oxidation state of the element T³ minus
 2. 2. The process according to claim 1 wherein divalent bridge (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is selected from the group consisting of CR¹ ₂, (CR¹ ₂)₂, (CR¹ ₂)₃, SiR¹ ₂, GeR¹ ₂, NR¹ and PR¹; Cp, which is π-bonded to said metal M, is selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl cyclopentadienyl; 4-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl; 4-adamantyl-cyclopentadienyl; indenyl; mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl indenyl; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl; fluorenyl; 5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; N-methyl- or N-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; 5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; N-methyl-or N-phenyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; azapentalene-4-yl; thiapentalene-4-yl; azapentalene-6-yl; thiapentalene-6-yl; mono-, di- and tri-methyl-azapentalene-4-yl and 2,5-dimethyl-cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]-dithiophene; and A is cyclopentadienyl, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl cyclopentadienyl; 4-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl; 4-adamantyl-cyclopentadienyl; indenyl; mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl indenyl; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl; fluorenyl; 5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; N-methyl- or N-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; 5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; N-methyl-or N-phenyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; azapentalene-4-yl; thiapentalene-4-yl; azapentalene-6-yl; thiapentalene-6-yl; mono-, di- and tri-methyl-azapentalene-4-yl; 2,5-dimethyl-cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]-dithiophene; N-methyl; N-ethyl; N-isopropyl; N-butyl; N-phenyl; N-benzyl; N-cyclohexyl; or N-cyclododecyl.
 3. The process according to claim 2 wherein the divalent bridge (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is selected from the group consisting of Si(CH₃)₂, SiPh₂, CH₂, (CH₂)₂, (CH₂)₃ and C(CH₃)₂.
 4. The process according to claim 1 wherein the halogenating agent is selected from the group consisting of FeCl₃, CuCl₂, ZnCl₂, BCl₃, BBr₃, SiCl₄, PCl₅, SOCl₂, POCl₃, CH₃C(O)Cl, C₆H₅CH₂C(O)Cl, C₆H₅C(O)Cl, CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl, Br₂, Cl₂, I₂, HCl, HBr and HI.
 5. The process according to claim 1 the amount EQ added in step a) is 1+r≦EQ≦1+r+q.
 6. The process according to claim 1 wherein the amount EQ added in step a) equals to 1+r+q.
 7. The process according to claim 1 for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds of formula (III): (Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (III) wherein n is an integer having values 1, 2, 3 or 4; comprising the following steps: a) reacting a ligand of formula (Y-Cp)(ZR¹ _(m))_(n)(A-Y) with at least 2+q molar equivalents of a compound of formula L′_(j)B or L′MgL′″, wherein L′″ is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine; n is an integer having values 1, 2, 3 or 4; the groups Y, the same or different from each other, are suitable leaving groups; Mg is magnesium; B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is equal to 1 when B is an alkali metal, and j is equal to 2 when B is an alkaline-earth metal; b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar equivalent of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein L″ is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine; thereby forming a mixture; c) optionally purifying the mixture and separating the racemic and the meso forms; and d) reacting the mixture with an halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ²; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂ and HL.
 8. The process according to claim 1 for preparing dihalide or monohalide metallocene compounds of formula (IV): (Cp)(Cp)_(r)ML_(q)L′_(s)  (IV) comprising the following steps: a) reacting 1+r molar equivalent of a ligand of formula (Y-Cp) with at least 3+r molar equivalents of a compound of formula L_(j)B or L′″MgL′, wherein the groups Y, the same or different from each other, are suitable leaving groups; B is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal; and j is equal to 1 when B is an alkali metal, and j is equal to 2 when B is an alkaline-earth metal; b) reacting the product obtained from step a) with at least 1 molar equivalent of a compound of formula ML″₄, wherein L″ is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, and bromine; thereby forming a mixture; c) optionally purifying the mixture; and d) reacting the mixture with an halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of T¹L_(w) ¹; T²L_(w) ²; O=T³L_(w) ³; R⁶C(O)L; L₂ and HL.
 9. The process according to claim 1 wherein the reactions are carried out in an aprotic polar or apolar solvent.
 10. The process according to claim 1 wherein the leaving group Y is hydrogen.
 11. The process according to claim 1 wherein L′ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, phenyl, benzyl and —CH₂Si(CH₃)₃; the substituents and L′″ is bromine or iodine.
 12. The process according to claim 1 wherein the reactant ML″₄ is selected from the group consisting of TiCl₄, ZrCl₄, and HfCl₄.
 13. The process according to claim 1 wherein the reactions are carried out in an aprotic polar or apolar solvent.
 14. The process according to claim 1 wherein divalent bridge (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is selected from the group consisting of CR¹ ₂, (CR¹ ₂)₂, (CR¹ ₂)₃, SiR¹ ₂, GeR¹ ₂, NR¹ and PR¹; Cp, which is π-bonded to said metal M, is selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl cyclopentadienyl; 4-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl; 4-adamantyl-cyclopentadienyl; indenyl; mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl indenyl; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl; fluorenyl; 5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; N-methyl- or N-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; 5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; N-methyl-or N-phenyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; azapentalene-4-yl; thiapentalene-4-yl; azapentalene-6-yl; thiapentalene-6-yl; mono-, di- and tri-methyl-azapentalene-4-yl and 2,5-dimethyl-cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]-dithiophene; and A is cyclopentadienyl, mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl cyclopentadienyl; 4-tertbutyl-cyclopentadienyl; 4-adamantyl-cyclopentadienyl; indenyl; mono-, di-, tri- and tetra-methyl indenyl; 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindenyl; fluorenyl; 5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; N-methyl- or N-phenyl-5,10-dihydroindeno[1,2-b]indol-10-yl; 5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; N-methyl-or N-phenyl-5,6-dihydroindeno[2,1-b]indol-6-yl; azapentalene-4-yl; thiapentalene-4-yl; azapentalene-6-yl; thiapentalene-6-yl; mono-, di- and tri-methyl-azapentalene-4-yl; 2,5-dimethyl-cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]-dithiophene; N-methyl; N-ethyl; N-isopropyl; N-butyl; N-phenyl; N-benzyl; N-cyclohexyl; or N-cyclododecyl.
 15. The process according to claim 14 wherein the divalent bridge (ZR¹ _(m))_(n) is selected from the group consisting of Si(CH₃)₂, SiPh₂, CH₂, (CH₂)₂, (CH₂)₃ and C(CH₃)₂.
 16. The process according to claim 1 wherein the halogenating agent is selected from the group consisting of FeCl₃, CuCl₂, ZnCl₂, BCl₃, BBr₃, SiCl₄, PCl₅, SOCl₂, POCl₃, CH₃C(O)Cl, C₆H₅CH₂C(O)Cl, C₆H₅C(O)Cl, CH₃CH₂CH₂C(O)Cl, Br₂, Cl₂, I₂, HCl, HBr and HI. 